Alex Hoelzel

So I'm in the process of building my cheap swap to an ls1. And now I am in the market for a roll cage that is pro am spec. I looked into a custom cage, but that's at least $1,500. This car will not be competing in pro am or fd. Just a lone star drift event every once in a while. Other than that its all grass roots drifting for me. I have narrowed it down to two companies. SWracecars and Rhodes racing roll cages. Both good prices. Pros cons, which would you choose?, will it pass tech?,etc
I know that Rhodes says that they will pass tech, but can i take their word for it?
Drift Car Roll Cages, drift car roll cage - 1-3/4" x .120" wall DOM - S&W Race Cars: USA race car chassis builder, racing components & high performance auto parts manufacturer - Since 1959

Also confused between the difference between these two:
Custom SCCA / NASA / Formula D Cage
SCCA, NASA, Drift Cage - 79-85 RX-7

joshuaput

I put an s&w prebent s13 cage in my fc. then made new a pillar bars and new door bars and strut bar and stuff. I have no compaints. it fits tighter than the fc cages.

Alex Hoelzel

is it pro am spec? it what areas does the s13 cage fit better?
thank,
alex

joshuaput

yeah. im 90% sure I can drive in whatever. except maybe formula d. only because I never put the fenderwell part in. I might weld one in before I put my dash back in though. even though my frame rails have been "modified" so I could never drive it in fd. the main hoop is more snug. sits closer to the body on the sides.

Alex Hoelzel

ok thanks, i just called s&w today and they really sounds like they know what they are doing. thanks for the help. how tough was the install? some complain, others love it.

joshuaput

welding in any cage is a ton of work. I dont know if they sell pre-notched cages. mine was not. I had to notch it all myself. then make the new a-pillar bars and door bars, from material I already had. Dont even consider it if you dont have a 220 welder. 110 WILL NOT PENETRATE ENOUGH! even using fluxcore wire and gas. you still wont penetrate all the way through. THIS IS FACT.

notching some of the angles can become real hard and you dont have very much room for error.
its nice to know you did it yourself though. it took me the better part of three days to do mine.

Alex Hoelzel

yeah its gonna be a mission. i have zero welding or fabricating experience. my plan was to rent a crappy welder like a 110 and tack all the pipes in place. then have a friend go back through with his real welder. S&W told me the drift cage came pre notched except for a few bars.

ruddyrid

iTrader: (8)

The information is out there, these two articles should give you a good idea as to what you would want to receive from a shop and what your requirements may be. In the end though, it comes down to the shop and how willing they are to lend an ear when considering the design of the cage.

Matt Powers 2012 Formula D ride Part 2

Project Professional Awesome Time Attack Evo: Part 1 - Roll Cage and Chassis in Detail

Alex Hoelzel

well, i was fixing to buy that roll cage, then i blew up my 13b. now i have an ls1 (almost done with the build) and i am still in need of a fd pro am cage. i dont think the S&W cage will work cuz...
S&W Racecars "Drift Roll Cage" FC3S RX7 - $400 FIRM [Archive] - Houston240sx.com Forums
found a rhodes cage who blatantly says that the cage is fd legal
SCCA, NASA, Drift Cage - 86-92 RX-7
(read the description)
i also dont want to have to drop $1,200 on a cage for whats basically my missile car
thats my dilemma, let me know what i should do.

thanks,

alex

driftfcbuckey

iTrader: (8)

1.5"x0.95 is the minimum thickness for FD cage. Most guys recommend staying 1.5" od, but moving to 1.20 wall for added strength.

You really can't put a price on your life... I'd recommend having a professional fabricate a roll cage to your car, before doing any kind of mail order weld in cage. Yea it may cost a little more in the end, but if you can afford an LS engine, you can afford to wait a few more weeks and do it right so your safety isn't at risk.

ruddyrid

iTrader: (8)

+1 on that, safety first. If you are taking the cage to get welded in by a profession fabricator [preferably one that works with structural design] then it may be OK to go with the mail order option. Otherwise, just wait it out and get one made by a reputable performance shop.

Alex Hoelzel

well good news, i emailed S&W and they said
"Hi Alex,
Our drift cages meet Formula Drift 2013 specs. Our engineering staff has been told that the rule is 180 degrees total in bends for the main hoop but that tech will allow 10 degrees over that. The bends for the 240sx drift cage main hoop total 186 degrees when it is bent here. If you would like a cage which has no more than the 180 degrees you can use our " measure your own" kit and have a cage bent to your exact measurements. The cost for both part numbers is $614.95 plus shipping. Current lead time would be 2 weeks plus 3 days in transit."
the issues in the two links i posted were from 2011,i guess they made some changes.
might just bite the bullet and go for it. I have a friend who has done roll cages before and said he'll install it for a 6 pack.

driftfcbuckey

iTrader: (8)

Good read if you have a minute.

Winding Highway Studios | Track safety and responsibility

Schmitty

iTrader: (11)

Thanks for posting that Buckey. I saw the aftermath of that crash on Instagram but was curious on how it all went down, and what style cage was in that car.

Really makes you stop and think how wrong it can go in an instant.